The Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals meet Saturday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Lightning vs Capitals prediction.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning recently beat the Blue Jackets, while losing to the Penguins and Senators. The Tampa Bay Lightning are averaging 3.52 goals per game and are scoring on 29.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Brayden Point leads Tampa Bay with 45 goals, Nikita Kucherov has 98 assists and Steven Stamkos has 246 shots on goal. Defensively, the Tampa Bay Lightning are allowing 3.23 goals per game and are killing 83.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jonas Johansson has given up 83 goals on 752 shots faced, while Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed 140 goals on 1,409 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals recently lost to the Sabres and Senators, while beating the Red Wings. The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.63 goals per game and are scoring on 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Ovechkin leads Washington with 30 goals, John Carlson has 42 assists and Dylan Strome has 163 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 78.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 103 goals on 940 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 124 goals on 1,353 shots.
Washington Capitals Team Facts
- The Capitals have lost seven of their last eight games.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games against the Lightning at Capital One Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 12 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Capitals have lost the first period in each of their last five games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts
- The Lightning have won each of their last four night games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games at Capital One Arena.
- The Lightning have lost the second period in each of their last five games at Capital One Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last 11 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Lightning vs Capitals prediction
The Capitals are still in the playoff conversation, and at home doesn’t hurt. The problem is the Caps have headed in the wrong direction over these last two weeks and the lack of offense is making them tough to get behind with confidence. The Lightning are playing their best hockey of the season, and we’re used to seeing this from this franchise over the years. The Lightning have won 6 of the last 9 games against the Capitals. It feels like the Capitals have run out of gas. Give me the Lightning and the PL for max betting value.